The difference between H, HB, B, and 2B...

Solved

MissPaper -

Hello,
I need to make a drawing but I don't know which pencil to use...
I have pencils H, HB, B, and 2B.
Could you tell me what their uses are (for making shadows, fine lines, etc.)?
Thanks in advance to those who are willing to respond!

6 answers

Answer 1 / 6 - Best answer
The best answer is the one that has been validated by our teams.
Le queniau Contributor
Good evening,

The difference in lettering for graphite pencils indicates how soft or hard your pencil is. The higher the number in the B range, the softer your pencil is. The higher the number in the H range, the harder your pencil is. For example, with a 6B, you can easily achieve a deep black without pressing too hard on the pencil. On the other hand, with a 6H, you can make very fine lines in a very light gray.
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1. lila
  
  I find your response very clear and very well articulated. Thank you.
  
  4
2. abby
  
  thank you
  
  1
3. Karo
  
  Why is it written HB #2? Why the 2?
  
  0
4. Raymond PENTIER Contributor
  
  @KaroI have the H, HB, B, and 2B pencil.
  
  0
5. pmonnier
  
  @Raymond PENTIERThis does not answer Karo's question. Why "HB #2"? In this case, the 2 is a number attached to the HB, not the 2 from "2B"...
  
  0
Answer 2 / 6
a
As the quentiu said, hb = hard. 2b = soft. People use hb for outlines, and 2b for shading/light = volume.
Hb is like the lead in mechanical pencils, meaning hard and dry.
The 2b is softer ("greasier") and resembles more like oil pastels (e.g. crayola).
Color is another chapter.
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Answer 3 / 6
yoann090 Security Contributor
Hello, this article might interest you: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayon
Best regards
18
Answer 4 / 6
watermelonsugar
Hello,
thank you for Mr. PENTIER's explanations, which have shed light on a question I've been pondering for a long time. However, I still have one area of uncertainty: does a dry pencil erase better than a greasy pencil?
By the way, I just discovered, and this may help others: H stands for "Hardness," and B for "Blackness."
4
Answer 5 / 6
Raymond PENTIER Contributor
Hello.

You will need to do some tests to make your own choice:
- Not all brands of pencil have the same leads.
- A very dry pencil, if you press hard, can leave a mark depending on the quality of the paper.
- A very greasy pencil may smudge when erasing, depending on the quality of the eraser.
--
Retirement is great! Especially in the Caribbean...
Raymond (INSA, AFPA)
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Answer 6 / 6
CarlaBcq
Hello,
So the H pencil is like the ones we have for school: for fine lines
The HB, similar to the H but with slightly more defined lines
The 2B: for going over the outlines and making slightly thicker lines
B: for fine and defined lines
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The difference between H, HB, B, and 2B...

6 answers

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